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Mall holiday lights to use less electricity
The Denver Business Journal
August 3, 2006
Holiday lights on the 16th Street Mall this year will use 98 percent less electricity than the conventional bulbs used in previous years.
The Business Improvement District and Denver Civic Ventures said Thursday they have purchased "Light Emitting Diode" -- LED -- lights for the entire mall for the 2006 season. LED lights can last up to 200,000 hours and if properly treated, could last up to 20 years.
More than 460,000 lights, purchased through Denver-based distributor The Keesling Group and manufactured by Denver-based Diogen Lighting, will be installed by Grand Impressions LLC on the 16th Street Mall as part of its holiday celebration.
The district typically spends about $200,000 a year on holiday lighting and decorations throughout the 120-square-block downtown area. It expects the new lights to save about $100,000 for three years because the stronger lights won't have to be replaced every year, said district spokeswoman Sarah McClean.
"We have made sustainability and conservation high priorities in all of our programs," said John Desmond, BID administrative manager and vice president of urban planning and environment for the Downtown Denver Partnership, in a statement.
"This is one immediate step we can take towards reducing energy consumption and supporting the Greenprint Denver initiative in Downtown. With so many new construction projects on the horizon for Downtown, we recognize the importance of incorporating "green" standards as we build ... and applying these concepts to current practices as well," Desmond said.
The move also got a nod from Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, who made energy efficiency and conservation a centerpiece of his recent "State of the City" address.
"The Downtown Denver Partnership and Business Improvement District are vital civic partners on so many initiatives that it is no surprise they are stepping up to the plate to support Greenprint Denver's sustainability goals," Hickenlooper said in the statement.
"Knowing that the new downtown holiday lights will consume less electricity and last longer will further enhance their glow for Denver residents and visitors. Economically, environmentally and aesthetically, it will be a wonderful holiday gift for the Mile High City."
Article URL: http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2006/07/31/daily76.html?jst=b_ln_hl
